Device for folding the ends of cylindrical wrapping



E Aug. 17, 1965 J. H. A. s. LAGESSE 3,200,564 I DEVICE FOR FOLDING THE ENDS 0F CYLINDRICAL WRAPPING Filed Feb. 25, 1963 I Q s Sheets-Sheet 1 l nuenlor J. A. S. Lag esse Attorneys 17, 1965 J. H. A. s. LAGESSE 3,200,564

DEVICE FOR FOLDING THE ENDS 0F CYLINDRIGAL WRAPPING Filed Feb. 25, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 (ff/J4. S Zagesse g- 17, 1965 J. H. A. s. LAGESSE 3,200,564

DEVICE FOR FOLDING THE ENDS OF CYLINDRICAL WRAPPING Filed Feb. 25, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet is Inventor rf/f/IS. Zagesse j Attorneys United States Patent F 3,200,564 DEVICE FOR FOLDING THE END 0F CYLINDRICAL WRAPPING Joseph Henri Alfred Serge Lagesse, Wembley, England,

assignor to Tape Engineering Limited, London, England, a company of Great Britain Filed Feb. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 260,580 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Feb. 27, W52,

7,666/ 62 8 Claims. (Cl. 53380) This invention relates to a wrapping machine for enclosing a roll in wrapping material, the term roll being used in a broad sense to include any article having a generally cylindrical shape or an assembly of articles (for example a number of discs) collectively having a generally cylindrical shape. It is usual for wrapping such a roll, first to wrap the paper or other wrapping material around the roll into the form of a tube, which closely surrounds the roll and projects beyond the ends thereof, and thereafter to fold the projecting ends of such tube, usually by hand, against the ends of the roll and to apply an adhesive seal at each end to secure such folded ends in place.

The present invention is concerned with an end pleating unit for such a wrapping machine for automatically folding the projecting ends of the tube of wrapping material prior to sealing the ends, and has for its object to provide a simple and eflicient mechanism capable of effecting such folding satisfactorily for any size of roll within a wide range of sizes.

The end pleating unit according to the present invention comprises a number of folder plates spaced at angular intervals around a main axis coaxial with the roll, means for causing the folder plates to move simultaneously inwardly towards the main axis and thereby to fold the tubular projecting end of the wrapping material over the end of the roll, and means for rotating the assembly of folder plates through an angle around the main axis, thereby flattening the pleats of the wrapping material closely against the end of the roll.

Although it is not essential to the invention, it will usually be preferable for the inward movement of each folder plate to take place in a direction lying in a plane through the main axis. In such case, the operative side edges of each folder plate will usually be oppositely inclined to such plane. The side edges may be equally inclined to such plane, but it may sometimes be preferable for such edges to be differently inclined thereto, thus skewing the upstanding folds of the wrapping material between the folder plates to assist the pleating of such folds during the subsequent rotational movement of the folder plate assembly.

Preferably, the folder plates are respectively pivoted to support members to which the inward movement is imparted, whereby during such movement each folder plate Will take up a position in which it lies flat against the end of the roll. The arrangement of such support members and of the mechanism for controlling their movement may vary, but in a preferred arrangement the support members consist of crank arms pivoted to a boss rotatable about the main axis, the pivot axes of the crank arms lying tangentially with respect to a circle centered on the main axis. In such case, the crank arms may conveniently be simultaneously swung about their pivots by means of a collar movable axially with respect to the main axis.

3,266,564 Patented Aug. 17, 1965 It will usually be convenient to provide two similar and simultaneously operated end pleating units, one at each end of the roll, means being provided for effecting relative adjustment of the two units in the direction of the main axis to suit different lengths of roll to be wrapped. In such case, each unit may be provided with a centering plunger, which can be moved in the direction of the main axis into an operative position within the projecting end of the tube of wrapping material, whereby simultaneous movement of the centering plungers of the two units will cause them to engage with the ends of the roll and thereby to centre the roll accurately between the two units, such plungers being retracted before the inward movement of the folder plates. The two end pleating units may conveniently be carried on framework elements relatively movable to suit the length of the roll, fine adjustment means being provided for moving the end pleating units relatively to the framework elements to suit the thickness and nature of the wrapping material.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but some convenient constructions of end pleating unit according thereto are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. These constructions will be described with reference to their use in a wrapping machine for enclosing in paper or other wrapping material a roll of any diameter within a predetermined range (for example from four to twelve inches) and likewise of any length within a predetermined range (for example up to, say, thirty inches or more). These dimensions are given by way of example only as typical of a machine for dealing with relatively large rolls, and it will be clear that a machine of similar construction can be used for dealing with a corresponding range of smaller diameters and lengths, or if desired with a range of still larger diameters and lengths.

In the drawings,

FIGURE 1 shows in plan a convenient construction of supporting framework for two end pleating units operative respectively at the two ends of the roll,

FIGURE 2 illustrates a modified form of such supporting framework,

FIGURE 3 illustrates one construction of end pleating unit in side elevation, with the folder plates in their inoperative positions,

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the main shaft of the end pleating unit of FIGURE 3, but showing the folder plates in their operative positions,

FIGURES 5 and 6 are transverse sectional views taken respectively on the lines 5-5 and 66 of FIGURE 3,

FlGURE 7 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIGURE 4, through a modified construction of end pleating unit,

FIGURE 8 shows on a larger scale a rear view of a preferred construction of folder plate,

FIGURE 9 is a sectional View on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8,

FIGURES 10 and 11 illustrate an alternative construction of end pleating unit, and

FIGURE 12 illustrates yet another alternative construetion.

In the following description of the end pleating unit, it will be assumed that an individual roll has already been wrapped (for example by hand or by parts of the machine with which the present invention is not concerned) with wrapipng material around its circumferential surface, so that the roll as presented to the end pleating unit is closely surrounded by the wrapping material in the form of a tube which projects beyond the ends of the roll, the longitudinal edges of the wrapping material having been appropriately secured, for example by adhesive tape, to hold such tube securely and tightly around the roll.

The end pleating unit is intended to be used at one end of the roll in conjunction with another similar end pleating unit at the other end of the roll, the two units being simultaneously operated to effect simultaneous folding and pleating of the two projecting ends of the tube of wrapping material. Each of the two units is carried by a framework element, and in order to cater for different lengths of roll, the two framework elements are mounted for relative adjustment, by any suitable adjusting mechanism, in the direction of the length of the roll. Insome instances, the adjustment may cater only for. two or more standard lengths of roll (in one example, for two lengths respectively 24 and 30 inches), with the framework elements accurately bolted in their position of adjustment, whilst in other instances the adjustment may be continuous to cater for any length of roll within a predetermined range.

FIGURE 1 shows one convenient arrangement, in which the framework elements for supporting the two units areadjustable only for a few standard lengths of roll. Each framework element A consists of channelsection bars welded together to be of generally T-shape in plan with two further channel-section bars A A upstanding from the junctions between the leg of the T and the two halves of the crossbar of the T, the units themselves being mainly supported between the upper'ends of such bars A and A or on brackets or blocks secured to the main bars of the T, as may be required to suit the particular construction of unit. The main bars of the T- shaped elements A rest on three parallel channel-section bars B, B B extending in a direction parallel to the length of the roll to be wrapped and constituting parts of the fixed base of the wrapping machine, each of such bars B, B B being bored with a row of spaced bolt holes B for receiving bolts A for securing the framework elements A rig-idly in any of a set of positions suited to the chosen standard lengths of roll.

FIGURE 2 shows a modification of the arrangement of FIGURE 1, in which continuous adjustment of the framework elements A, A A along the fixed base bars B, B B is provided. In this modification, the centre base bar B has an upstanding guide rib B throughout its length, along the sides of which bolts A carried by the framework elements A, A A can slide, and the bolt holes B in the three base bars are replaced by longitudinal slots B along which the securing bolts A can slide, when slacked off, there being two such slots B in the centre bar B, one on either side of the rib 13 The two framework elements A, A A when the bolts A have been slacked off, can be driven along the base bars B, B B by means of screw shafts A rotated by hand wheels A the bolts A being tightened again after adjustment to the desired positions.

The two pleating units, carried by their framework elements A, A A are similar to one another, and FIGURES 36 show one convenient construction for one of such units. In this construction, each pleating unit has a main shaft C mounted on the supporting framework element A, A A and held against rotation. Whilstthe shaft may be rigidly fixed to such framework element, it will usually be preferable (especially in a machine catering for specified standard lengths of roll) for its mounting to be such that the shaft can be adjusted axially through an accurately measured short distance relatively to the framework element. With such arrangement, when the framework element has been adjusted to the position suited to the length of the roll, the further fine adjustment of the shaft relatively to the framework element,

Al; which may for example be effected under micrometer control, enables the end pleating unit to be adjusted to slightly different spacings from the end of the roll to suit different thicknesses and type of wrapping material, as for example to deal not only with thin wrapping material, but also with laminated wrapping materials, such as a polythene or other moisture-proof inner layer laminated to a protective outer layer, or a coloured waxed paper or other light-proofinner layer laminated to an outer protective layer. In the construct-ion illustrated, a sleeve D sliding on a spigot C on the shaft, engages in a threaded hole in a fixed two-part member D carried by the framework element and is operated by a finger ring D A retaining nut C on the screwthreaded end of the spigot C engages with the member D and forces a shoulder C on the shaft tightly against the front end of the sleeve D A lock-nut D engaging with the front part of the member D is provided on the sleeve D to hold it securely in position. When fine adjustment is needed, the nuts C and D are slacked off and the finger ring D is operated to screw the sleeve D forwards or backwards through an accurately measured distance in the member D, the locknut D is then tightened tohold the sleeve securely in its position of adjustment, and finally the retaining nut C is tightened to pull the shoulder C on the shaft into tight engagement with the sleeve D 1 The roll within its tube of wrapping material is fed, by means forming no part of the present invention, into a position in which its axis is coaxial with the main shafts C of the two pleating units. In many in'stances, the feeding means will be such as to ensure accurate centering of the'roll between the two pleating units, but in other instances, where such accurate'centering cannot be guaranteed, each main shaft may have an internal bore for housing a centering plunger, which can be advanced to project a predetermined distance from the end of the shaft and can be retracted again into the shaft. One such arrangement is incorporated in the modified construction shown in FIGURE 7 and will be described later with reference to such figure. In such case, when the roll has beenfed into position, the centering plungers of the two units are advanced to their operative positions in which they will just engage with the two end-s of the roll, within the tube of wrapping material, when the two units have been properly adjusted to the correct relative spacing to suit the length ofthe roll. In this way, it is ensured that the roll is properly centered between the two units in the correct position in readiness for the end pleating operation. When such centering has been effected, the two centering plungers are retracted again into their main shafts, so as not to interfere with such end pleating operation.

Surrounding the main shaft C of the end pleating unit and rotatably mounted thereon in suitable bearings C is a sleeve E which carries near its forward end a polygonal boss E. A channel-shaped member E is mounted on each of the flat faces of such boss-and carries a pivot pin E on which acrank arm E sandwiched between the limbs of the member E is pivoted. There are thus a number of crank arms E angularly spaced from one another around the polygonal boss 'E practice that a convenient number is'eight, so that the crank, arms'will be angularly spaced at 45 degrees from one another around'an octagonal boss.

Keyed to the outside of the sleeve E is a collar P, which can slide axially along the sleeve, this collar carrying pivots for eight connecting links F whose other ends are pivoted respectively to the eight crank arms E Thus, in'the normal rest position (shown in FIGURE 3), with the collar F near the rear end of the sleeve E, the crank arms E radiate outwardly from the octagonal boss E, but when the collar F is moved forward along the sleeve, the crank arms E are swung forward towards the roll, FIGURE 4 showing the crank arms in such advanced operative position. Adjustable stop members It is found in E are provided on the crank arms E to limit the inward movements thereof.

The movements of the collar F along the sleeve E and the rotation of the sleeve E may be effected in any desired way, but it is found convenient to effect these operations by means of fluid pressure devices. Thus the collar F may have a circumferential groove in which engages a fork F on a lever F operated by the plunger of a pneumatic or hydraulic thrust cylinder F which may be pivoted to the supporting framework element A, A A The plunger of another cylinder E the torque cylinder, pivoted on a universal joint to a bracket A on the framework element A, A A may be connected to an arm E extending outwardly from the sleeve E to effect rotation of the sleeve. Such universal joint may consist, for example, as shown, of a pair of gimbalmounted mutually perpendicular shafts E E Each of the cylinders F and E will be supplied with pressure fluid from the same source as the corresponding cylinder of the pleating unit at the other end of the roll, thereby ensuringsimultaneous operation of the end pleating units at the two ends of the roll.

Pivoted to the free end of each crank arm is a folder plate G having an operative flat face, which may conveniently be of generally sector shape, the pivot G being near the narrow end of such face. The shape and length of the crank arms E is such that, when swung forward, the folder plates G will engage with the outside of the tube of wrapping material on the largest size of roll within the range with which the machine is intended to deal. The folder plates G are urged outwardly about their pivots G by spring-s G (as indicated in FTGURE 3) and when they engage with the wrapping material they will pivot about the edge of the roll against the spring action until the operative flat face of each folder plate presses the material against the end of the roll. The dimensions and relative positions of the plates G are such that the broader end of the flat face of each folder plate will somewhat overlap the end of the roll itself, so that as the crank arms E swing forward each folder plate G will fold a portion of the projecting end of the tube of wrapping material tightly over the peripheral edge of the end of the roll. The continued movement of the crank arms B will thus cause the folder plates G to pivot round, so that the narrow ends of the plates will press the wrapping material closer to the end face of the roll, until the flat face of each folder plate presses a portion of the wrapping material tightly against the end face of the roll. Thus, at the end of the forward swing of the crank arms, a number of sector-shaped portions of the wrapping material will be pressed tightly against the end face of the roll, whilst between such portions there will be upstanding free folds of the wrapping material.

This completes the inward folding movement and the sleeve E is now rotated through an angle around the main shaft. This causes the folder plates G, still pressed tightly against the end face of the roll, to sweep round and to flatten out into pleats the upstanding free folds of the wrapping material. It is found that an angular rotation of about one and a half times the angular spacing between the crank arms E (that is about 67 degrees when there are eight crank arms) is adequate to effect complete and satisfactory pleating of all the wrapping material tightly against the end of the roll. The rotational movements for effecting flattening of the pleats at the two ends of the roll may take place in the same sense or in opposite senses, as may happen to be more convenient. 7

When the pleating of the wrapping against the ends of the roll has been completed, the collar F at each end is retracted along the sleeve E and the sleeve E is rotated back again to bring all the parts back to the normal rest position, the end sealing of the wrapping on the roll being completed, for example, by afiixing an adhesive seal by hand or mechanically over the pleated Wrapping material. It should be mentioned that it is not essential to rotate the sleeve E back again to its original position at the end of the operation, and if desired such sleeve may always rotate in the same direction in equal steps, one for each pleating operation. One such arrangement will be described later with reference to FIGURES 10 and 11.

In the foregoing arrangement, the main shaft C of the end pleating unit is held against rotation and carries a rotatable sleeve E. In the modified arrangement shown in FIGURE 7, the main shaft H of the end pleating unit is mounted in bearings H carried by the framework element A, A A so as to be rotatable therein, and the sleeve E is dispensed with, the shaft itself performing the functions of such sleeve. Thus, the collar F is keyed to the shaft H, so as to be rotatable therewith, and slides along the shaft for effecting movement of the crank arms E As mentioned above, FIGURE 7 also serves to illustrate the provision of a centering plunger acting in cooperation with a similar plunger at the other end for ensuring correct longitudinal positioning of the roll. For this purpose, the shaft H is provided with an internal bore H within the front end of which the centering plunger H is housed. It is convenient to operate such plunger by fluid pressure, the plunger H being connected at its rear end to a piston H sliding within a cylinder constituted by an enlarged part of the bore H in the shaft, pressure fluid being fed to such cylinder through the bore H in the shaft, the rear ends of the cylinders in the bores of the main shafts at the two ends of the roll being simultanously fed with pressure fluid to ensure simultaneous operation of the two centering plungers. Thus, when the roll is brought into position in alignment with the two main shafts H, and the framework elements A, A A have been adjusted to suit the length of roll, pressure fluid is fed in behind the pistons, so that the two centering plungers are advanced to contact the two ends of the roll Within the tube of wrapping material and effect proper longitudinal positioning of the roll. The pressure fluid is then released and the plungers return to their normal rest positions within the shafts, under the action of return springs H The fine adjustment of the longitudinal position of the shaft H, to suit the thickness of the wrapping material, is in this construction effected by means of a finger ring H which abuts against a shoulder H on the shaft and is provided with an end cam cooperating with a roller H mounted on the framework elements A, A A the cam and roller being maintm'ned in engagement with one another by means of a spring ring H FIGURES 8 and 9 show on a larger scale the preferred construction of the folder plates G incorporated in the construction of FIGURE 7. The front face of the plate G is flat and of sector shape, the side edges of the plate being provided on the rear side with ribs G which increase in height progressively from the broad end of the plate to the narrow end. The rear side of the plate is also provided with a channel-shaped central rib G for receiving between its limbs the front edge of the crank arm E which is of plate-like form. In this preferred construction of folder plate, the side edges of the plate are symmetrical with respect to a plane, which extends in the direction of movement of the plate and contains the axis of the main shaft. Such symmetrical arrangement is not, however, essential, and, if desired, for example to assist the subsequent pleating operation, the two side edges may be unequally inclined to such plane. For a similar purpose, if desired, the inward movement of the folder plates need not take place in a plane through the axis of the main shaft, but may be skewed somewhat so as to be tangential to a circle around the axis.

FIGURES 10 and 11 diagrammatically illustrate an alternative construction in which the movements of the folder plates are brought about by a continuously rotating driving shaft 3. This shaft carries a bevel wheel J engaging with a bevel wheel 1 to which is secured a cam l abutting against a roller 3 on a lever J for causing the collar F to slide along the main shaftK of the end pleating unit to operate the crank arms and folder plates. The shape of the cam J is such as to cause the folder plates to swing inwards once during each revolution of the driving shaft J and to retract the folder plates approximately half a revolution after they have been swung inwards. During such half revolution, with the folder plates in their operative inner position, the main shaft K is rotated through a right angle by means of an escapement wheel K which is fixed to the shaft K and is operated by a pin K on a crank arm K on the driving shaft 1. The shaft J also carries a locking cam K engaging in circumferential recesses in the escapement wheel K to hold such wheel against rotation, except when it is being driven by the crank arm K It will be noticed that the main shaft Kis not rotated back again to a rest position after retraction of the folder plates, but rotates forward through a right angle once duringeeach revolution of the driving shaft 1. It may be practicable in some instances todispense with the escapement mechanism and to cause the main shaft K to rotate during the inward movement of the folder plates, as well as after such movement has been completed.

FIGURE 12 diagrammatically shows a further alternative construction in which the folder plates move radially inwards, instead of beng swung inwardly on crank arms. In this construction, the main shaft L of the end pleating unit carries a spider D, on which are mounted at equal angular spacings around the axis a number of pneumatic cylinders L one for each folder plate. For simplicity of drawing, only two of such cylinders are shown on the drawin". The plunger L of each pneumatic cylinder L carries a piovt L for its folder plate L the directions of movement of such plungers lying in a radial plane at right angles to the axis of the main shaft L. Each folder plate L is controlled by a spring (not shown) in a manner analogous to that of the foregoing constructions. The main shaft L is arranged to slide forward from a normal rest position into an operative position, in which the folder plates are brought adjacent to the end of the roll to be wrapped, after which the pneumatic cylinders L are simultaneously operated to move the folder plates radially inward to fold down the wrapping material. When the folder plates have reached their innermost position the main shaft L is rotated through an angle to flatten out the pleats in a manner analogous to that above described, whereafter the shaft L is caused to slide back again to its normal rest position and the folder plates are moved outwards again by their pneumatic cylinders L The necessary movements of the main shaft may be effected in any desired way, for example in a manner analogous to those of the foregoing arrangements, and, if desired, the spider L may be arranged to slide along the main shaft L instead of impartingsuch sliding movement to the shaft itself.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing arrangements have been described by way of example only and that the invention may be carried into practice in other ways. Thus, although described with reference to use in a wrapping machine capable of dealing with rolls of different sizes within a predetermined range, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to such use. Again, the control of the necessary movements may be effected otherwise than pneumatically, for example hydraulically or mechanically or electrically, if preferred. A What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: p

1. In a wrapping machine for enclosing a roll in wrapping material, an end pleating unit operative after the wrapping material has been wrapped into the form of a tube which closely surrounds the roll and projects beyond the ends thereof, such end pleating unit comprising a number of folder plates spaced at angular intervals around a'main axis coaxial with the roll, a'number of support members to which the folder plates are respectively pivoted, means for simultaneously moving the support members to cause the folder plates to move in an inward direction generally towards themain axis whereby during such inward movement the individual folderplates on contacting the wrapping material will move about their pivots relatively to the support membersthereby folding portions of the tubular projecting endof the wrapping material over theend of the roll and will finally take up positions in which they lie fiat against the end of the roll with the'folded wrapping material interposed between the plates and the roll leaving narrow upstanding pleats wrapping material between the folded-over portions, and means whereby after completion of such inward movement the assembly of folder plates is rotated in one direction through an angle around the main axis, thereby flattening the pleats of the wrapping material closely against the end of the roll.

2'. An end pleating unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the operative side edges of each folder plate lie symmetrically with respect to a plane, which passes through the main axis in all positions of the folder plate;

3. An end pleating unit as claimed in claim 1, including a boss rotatable about the main axis, and crank arms pivoted to the boss about axes lying tangentially to the main axis, such crank arms constituting the support members to which the folder plates are respectively pivoted.

4-. An end pleating'unit as claimed in claim 3, including a collar movable axially with respect to the main axis, and means whereby axial movement of'the collar causes the crank arms to swing about their pivots on the boss, thereby causing the inward movement of the folder plates.

5. In a wrapping machine for enclosing a roll in wrapping material, means for closing the ends 'ofthe wrapping after the wrapping material has been wrapped into the form of a tube which closely surrounds the roll and projects beyond the ends thereof, such means comprising two similar end pleating units located respectively at the two ends of the roll, means for effecting relative adjustment of suchtwo units in the direction of the axis. of the roll to suit the length of the roll to be wrapped, each end pleating unit comprising a number of folder plates spaced at angular intervals around a main axis coaxial with the roll, a number of support members to which the folder plates are respectively pivoted, means for simultaneously moving the support members to cause the folder plates to move in an inward direction generally towards the main axis whereby during such inward movement the individual folder plates on contacting the'wrapping material will move about their pivots relatively to the support members thereby folding portions of the tubular projecting end of the wrapping material over the end of the roll and will finally take up postions in which they lie flat against the end of the roll with the folded wrapping material interposed between the plates and the roll leaving narrow upstanding pleats of Wrapping material between the folded-over portions, and means whereby after completion of such inward movement the assembly of folder plates is rotated in one direction through an angle around the main axis, thereby flattening the pleats of the wrapping materialclosely against the ends of the roll.

6. A wrapping machine as claimed in claim 5, including two framework elements respectively carrying the two end pleating units, means for relatively moving the two framework elements toreffect the axial adjustment of the two units to suit the length of the roll, and fine adjustment means for moving the end pleating units relatively to the framework elements to suit the thickness and nature of the wrapping material. 7

7. A wrapping machine as claimed in claim 5, including two centering plungers one in each end pleating unit, means for simultaneously moving the two centering plungers respectively within the tubular projecting ends of the wrapping material into engagement with the ends of the roll, thereby centering the roll accurately between the two end pleating units, and means for retracting the centering plungers before the inward movement of the folder plates.

8. A wrapping machine as claimed in claim 5, including in each end pleating unit a boss rotatable about the main axis, crank arms pivoted to the boss and constituting the support members to which the folder plates are pivoted, a collar movable axially with respect to the main axis, and means whereby axial movement of the collar References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,066,414 1/37 Milmoe 53-380 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

0 TRAVIS s. MCGEHEE, Examine-r. 

1. IN A WRAPPING MACHINE FOR ENCLOSING A ROLL IN WRAPPING MATERIAL, AN END PLEATING UNIT OPERATIVE AFTER THE WRAPPING MATERIAL HAS BEEN WRAPPED INTO THE FORM OF A TUBE WHICH CLOSELY SURROUNDS THE ROLL AND PROJECTS BEYOND THE ENDS THEREOF, SUCH END PLEATING UNIT COMPRISING A NUMBER OF FOLDER PLATES SPACED AT ANGULAR INTERVALS AROUND A MAIN AXIS COAXIAL WITH THE ROLL, A NUMBER OF SUPPORT MEMBERS TO WHICH THE FOLDER PLATES ARE RESPECTIVELY PIVOTED, MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY MOVING THE SUPPORT MEMBERS TO CAUSE THE FOLDER PLATES TO MOVE IN AN INWARD DIRECTION GENERALLY TOWARDS THE MAIN AXIS WHEREBY DURING SUCH INWARD MOVEMENT THE INDIVIDUAL FOLDER PLATES ON CONTACTING THE WRAPPING MATERIAL WILL MOVE ABOUT THEIR PIVOTS RELATIVELY TO THE SUPPORT MEMBERS THEREBY FOLDING PORTIONS OF THE TUBULAR PROJECTING END OF THE WRAPPING MATERIAL OVER THE END OF THE ROLL AND WILL FINALLY TAKE UP POSITIONS IN WHICH THEY LIE FLAT AGAINST THE END OF THE ROLL WITH THE FOLDED WRAPPING MATERIAL INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE PLATES AND THE ROLL LEAVING NARROW UPSTANDING PLEATS OF WRAPPING MATERIAL BETWEEN THE FOLDED-OVER PORTIONS, AND MEANS WHEREBY AFTER COMPLETION OF SUCH INWARD MOVEMENT THE ASSEMBLY OF FOLDER PLATES IS ROTATED IN ONE DIRECTION THROUGH AN ANGLE AROUND THE MAIN AXIS, THEREBY FLATTENING THE PLEATS OF THE WRAPPING MATERIAL CLOSELY AGAINST THE END OF THE ROLL. 